Logistics Civil engineering projects frequently involve multiple steps that need to be completed over years. This means that the traffic control plan needs to be designed with enough flexibility to accommodate the dif - ferent stages of the project. It is important to coordinate with local gov- ernments, such as police departments and transportation authorities, in order to properly manage the traffic flow and minimize disruption to other parts of the city. Furthermore, the construction team and municipality must develop a timeline and plan of action so that all parties understand the expec - tations and anticipate potential traffic disruptions. This detailed plan will outline the timeline, responsibilities, tasks and desired project outcomes and include information about the type of construction, key dates, expected changes to traffic patterns and projected access points. Once the plan has been agreed to, a meeting should be conducted with the local police department to discuss traffic flows and ways to ensure public safety for the duration of construction. State and local transpor - tation authorities and transit agencies should also be included in this process to ensure that all parties are aware of the possible disruption. Furthermore, the presence of flagging operations or a traffic control supervisor is a necessity in many cases. Trained and certified flaggers or protectors have the ultimate responsibility of actually controlling the movement of people and vehicles in the area and ensuring that traffic control devices are properly deployed and maintained. Often these staffing decisions are managed by a professional traffic control services provider and at other times, come down to the discretion of the state or municipal entity supervising the work zone. Budget When budgeting for a traffic control plan, one of the best ways to main - tain costs is to keep the plan as simple as possible to implement. For example, using a single-lane traffic pattern over a two-lane pattern will generally require fewer materials and fewer traffic signs and signals. Additionally, traffic control plans that are engineered to mimic existing road conditions could provide savings in terms of both planning and material costs. Another way to control costs is to use existing equipment whenever possible. This may include purchasing components from a supplier who specializes in traffic engineering, or it may involve salvaging traf - fic signs, signals and other equipment from previous projects. Regard - less of the approach, this cost-saving measure is often preferable to purchasing all new equipment, as it could potentially cut costs by up to 50 percent. Furthermore, it is important to factor in the cost of oversight when budgeting for a traffic control plan. As the civil project progresses, the plan must be regularly monitored and updated to ensure that it is still achieving its desired objectives. This often involves the supervision of professional engineers and other specialists, whose services must be factored into the project’s budget. Moreover, it may be necessary to invest in additional protective equipment, such as barricades or lights, in order to promote a safe working environment. Planners must also
account for lost time due to delays or additional fuel costs for support vehicles should timelines change. Lean on the experts Traffic control planning requires a thorough understanding of safety concerns, route selection and visibility, financial considerations, and logistical complexities. It is crucial to address all of these issues in order to ensure that civil engineering projects can be completed with minimal disruption to the public and maximum protection for workers. Planning for every eventuality is the best way to ensure a success - ful project completion. A comprehensive traffic control plan helps to reduce costs, minimize construction delays and maximize the safety of workers, drivers, and pedestrians. Outsourcing the traffic control component of a project can help to reduce costs. Professional traffic control services providers have the necessary resources and equipment to manage a project from start to finish. This means that companies don’t have to. Be sure to seek out service providers having extensive civil engineer - ing project experience that can help shape more informed, complete strategies to protect people and progress. About AWP Safety: Area Wide Protective (AWP) Safety has a mission to provide the safest environment possible for every person building the future of utility, broadband, transportation, and civil infrastructure. With services tai - lored to each project's needs, AWP Safety leads the way in planning and implementing optimized traffic control strategies and technologies. The company has worked on some of the nation's busiest and most complex civil engineering projects, including the widening of I-5 in Seattle, the I-35 bridge reconstruction project near Austin, and the overhaul of the Long Beach freeway. Many of these projects require the use of sophisticated traffic control devices, such as signals, cameras, gates, warning lights, crosswalks and road signs, in combination with traditional traffic control methods administered by certified protectors. Including the coordination of plans and approvals, permitting, mate- rial estimates and field surveys, AWP Safety ensures that all elements of the project comply with federal and state regulations. Get started at www.awpsafety.com.
MARK LUDEWIG is the Vice President of Safety for AWP Safety , North America’s leader in professional traffic management. Mark has over 30 years of experience in environmental, health, and safety management and leads the company’s ongoing enterprise initiatives to deliver the safest work zones by leveraging industry data, aligning enterprise with all-encompassing traffic control solutions, and ensuring compliance at all levels. Mark holds a master’s degree in safety engineering and management from West Virginia University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from West Liberty University. He is a Certified Safety Professional, Safety Trained Supervisor, and Smith System Driver Instructor.
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csengineermag.com
March 2023
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